Things to do in Pensacola this week: Crawfish Fest; Interstate Mullet Toss; Tall Ships
Seven days out is your guide to entertainment events, concerts, festivals and activities in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
MONDAY
Monday Night Blues
7 p.m. Monday, April 24. Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St. Seville Quarter and the Blues Society of Northwest Florida are bringing the “blues” back to the Seville Quarter Entertainment District. The event features live blues music and "BBQ and Bud" food and drink specials. More info: 850-434-6211 or sevillequarter.com.
TUESDAY
Bands on the Beach
7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach, Pensacola Beach. Pensacola Beach's popular outdoor summer concert series with performers for every musical taste. Featuring a lineup of regional artists, Bands on the Beach delivers an eclectic musical experience throughout the entire summer. This week features the Bay Bridge Band. Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free. More info: 850-932-2257 or visitpensacolabeach.com.
The Book of Mormon
7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, April 25 through 27. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The Book of Mormon, the nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical, is coming live to the Saenger Theatre. Contains explicit language. Tickets start at $49. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
UWF School of Music Jazz Ensemble
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25. UWF Center For Fine And Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway. Join the UWF Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Joseph T. Spaniola for an evening of instrumental jazz at UWF. The combo will present works by John Coltrane, Claude Debussy, Rodgers & Hart, Horace Silver and more. Performers will also present the music of Shorty Rogers, Geoff Keezer, John La Barbera and Duke Ellington. Free. More info: uwf.edu/cfpa.
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WEDNESDAY
UWF School of Music Percussion & Wind Ensembles
5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26. Coastal County Brewing, 3041 E. Olive Road. The UWF Dr. Grier Williams School of Music presents the Percussion & Wind Ensembles. The performance will feature the percussion studio and woodwind studios along with their respective ensembles. Free. More info: uwf.edu/cfpa.
THURSDAY
Tall Ships Challenge Gulf Coast Series
Thursday through Sunday, April 27 through 30. The Parade of Sail can be viewed for free by public access along Pensacola Port and from De Luna Landing Park, Maritime Park, Fort Pickens Park and from the Pensacola Bay Bridge Walkway. Pensacola is once again an “Official Port” and the final stop on the Tall Ships Challenge Gulf Coast Series. The Pensacola fleet includes five ships: The Nao Trinidad, The Pride of Baltimore II, Ernestina-Morrissey, When and If and the Glenn L. Swetman. Pensacola, famous for its rich maritime history, hosted the first challenge in 2018 and was voted “Port of the Year.” This four-day, family-friendly event includes sailing adventures, onboard ship tours, food trucks, craft beer, music, a festival marketplace and special events. More info: tallshipspensacola.org.
Tunes by the Dunes Concert Series
7 p.m. Thursday, April 27. Navarre Beach Marine Park, 8705 Gulf Blvd., Navarre. Tunes by the Dunes is a free concert series held on Thursday evenings. Enjoy a relaxing evening for live local music and food vendors. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own beach blankets and lawn chairs. Hosted by the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. This week features the Freeway 98 Band. Free. More info: 850-939-3267 or navarrechamber.com/tunes-by-the-dunes.
UWF Symphonic Band
7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27. UWF Center For Fine And Performing Arts, 11000 University Parkway. Under the direction of Dr. Jeff Osarczuk, this program will feature wind-band classics such as Percy Grainger’s “Colonial Song” and Norman Dello Joio’s “Scenes from the Louvre.” Director of Choral Activities Peter Steenblik will also lead the Symphonic Band and the UWF Singers in a combined performance of “Make Them Hear You” from the musical “Ragtime.” Free. More info: uwf.edu/cfpa.
FRIDAY
Interstate Mullet Toss & Greatest Beach Party
10 a.m. Friday through Sunday, April 28 through 30. Flora-Bama Lounge & Package, 17401 Perdido Key Drive. What started as just a reason to party has become one of the biggest beach parties on the coast. The Mullet Toss consists of individuals on the beach throwing a mullet from a 10-foot circle in Florida across the state line into Alabama to see who gets the farthest. This is a great excuse to throw a weekend long party, with lots of fun activities and great music all while helping raise money for the local community. More info: 850-492-0611 or florabama.com.
Pensacola Crawfish Festival
11 a.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday, April 28 through 30. Seville Square & Fountain Park, downtown Pensacola. The Pensacola Crawfish Festival features thousands of pounds of boiled crawfish, fresh from Louisiana, brought to attendees by Pensacola locals, Cordova Crawfish Company. Cajun fare features include boudin, jambalaya, etouffee, fresh and fried seafood, and gumbo. Traditional festival options and desserts are also available. Live entertainment starts at 2 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday and Sunday. Adults: $5 per day. Kids age 6 to 12: $2 per day. Kids 5 and younger: Free. More info: fiestapensacola.org/crawfish-festival.
All You Need is Love
7 p.m. Friday, April 28. First Baptist Church, 555 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze. The Gulf Coast Chorale presents “All You Need Is Love” featuring a variety of music that speaks to the heart from the Beatles, Queen, Motown to Cole Porter. Joining the chorale is the Tate High School Vocal Ensemble as special guest performers. Ticket prices are $12 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger in advance of the show. There is a special group pricing of 10 tickets for $100. More info: gulfcoastchorale.org.
Gary Numan
7 p.m., doors; 8 p.m., show; Friday, April 28. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Gary Numan entered the music industry as frontman of the new wave band Tubeway Army. After releasing two albums with the band, he released his debut solo album, "The Pleasure Principle," in 1979, topping the UK Albums Chart. His hits include "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars," both of which reached No. 1 the UK Singles Chart. He has sold over 10 million records. The show also features special guests October Noir. $30. For all ages. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
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SATURDAY
Be My Neighbor Day
10 a.m. Saturday, April 29. Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio, 1000 College Blvd. WSRE PBS invites the community to come together for the station’s annual Be My Neighbor Day. This free, family-fun event emphasizes early learning, health and safety, and the neighborly values of Mister Rogers and Daniel Tiger. Highlighting this year’s program is the return of Daniel Tiger to meet and greet with young fans. More info: wsre.org/bmnd.
Norm Crowder Kids’ Fest
11 a.m. Saturday, April 29. Navarre Park, 8543 Navarre Parkway. The fourth annual Norm Crowder Kid’s Fest features something for the entire family to enjoy. Proceeds benefit Santa Rosa Kids' House, a Child Advocacy Center that has been serving abused and neglected children in Santa Rosa County since 2008. More info: srkidshouse.org.
Spring Craft and Vendor Fair
11 a.m. Saturday, April 29. Innerarity Point Park, 5828 Cruzat Road. The Perdido Area Chamber of Commerce invites local artists, crafters and businesses to participate in the Spring Craft and Vendor Fair. Shoppers can shake off the winter blues and pick up something special in time for Mother's Day while browsing locally-sourced art, jewelry, craft items and clothing. More info: 850-492-4660.
Blues on the Blocks with BBQ
5 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Unity Entertainment Complex, 500 W. Belmont St. Unity Entertainment and the Blues Society of Northwest Florida are bringing the "blues" back to its Pensacola Mecca of Belmont-DeVillers. The event will feature live Blues music and barbecue. Come live history. More info: 850-206-7302.
Black Jacket Symphony presents Tom Petty's "Full Moon Fever"
8 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experience through recreating classic albums in a live performance setting. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of handpicked musicians specifically selected for each album, with no sonic detail being overlooked. The performance is separated into two sets. The first set features the album being recreated as a true symphonic piece. The second set features a selection of the album artist's greatest hits. Tickets start at $31. More info: 850-595-3880 or pensacolasaenger.com.
Shrek Rave
9 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Vinyl Music Hall, 2 S. Palafox St. Vinyl Music Hall is hosting a dumb, fun, Shrek-themed rave. $30. For ages 21 and older. More info and ticket purchase: vinylmusichall.com.
SUNDAY
Behind the Curtain
4 p.m. Sunday, April 30. Saenger Theatre, 118 S. Palafox St. The Pensacola Children's Chorus invites everyone to an evening Behind the Curtain featuring the musical talents of PCC's former pianist extraordinaire Martin Tate. All proceeds will benefit PCC's Tuition Assistance Fund, which ensures that all children have access to life-changing music education. Appetizers and champagne will be provided. Cocktail attire is requested. Suggested contribution: $150. More info: pensacolasings.org.
Blues on the Bay
6 p.m. Sunday, April 30. Community Maritime Park Hunter Amphitheater, 301 W. Main St. This free concert series is one of the most popular events for locals and visitors to spend the final hours of their weekend enjoying great music with family and friends in a great atmosphere. Concert spectators are invited to bring coolers and lawn chairs. Guests of all ages are encouraged to enjoy the cool breeze of the bay while listening and dancing to some of the region's best musical talent. This week features Modern Eldorados. More info: 850- 436-5670.
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Things to do in Pensacola this week: Crawfish Fest; Mullet Toss
